Wild UK – reviews of gear, and features on wild places, from Graham Uney – mountain guide and instructor, fell top assessor, writer and photographer

Out Skerries

The tiny island group known as the Out Skerries (or just ‘Skerries’ locally) is one of the most remote island communities in the UK. These island lie off the eastern side of Shetland, with Fetlar and Unst way to the north, and Whalsay off to the west.

Looking across South Mouth to Bruray from Housay

Today was our wedding anniversary, and as the sun was shining we decided to head out to the islands to explore.

The two main islands are Bruray and Housay, which are connected by a bridge.

The post office pier on Housay

Our walk took us from the main ferry terminal on Bruray around to the bridge, then over to Housay where we walked in a clockwise direction around the island.

Boats and Buoys on Housay

This is a real fishing community, as you would expect, and there are boats tied up all over.

Looking across South Mouth to the lighthouseExploring the coast of Housay

It’s also a great place for wildlife. I wanted to check a few nests for the British Trust for Ornithology’s Nest Record Scheme, and without even really looking we soon found a couple of Herring Gull nests with eggs, the same number of Common Gull nests, and an Oystercatcher nest.

Herring Gull nest

A more surprising wildlife find was this hedgehog, who seemed quite happy to be photographed.